Miami Dolphins CB Bobby McCain expects Patriots to instigate again

Dolphins CB Bobby McCain will be ready for the Patriots’ antics this time. (Getty Images)

DAVIE—Dolphins cornerback Bobby McCain learned a hard lesson last time he faced the Patriots. While he’s generally known as one of the headiest players on Miami’s defense, he does struggle to keep his temper at times.

That flared up in the 35-17 loss at New England two weeks ago, when McCain was ejected in the second half for appearing to throw a punch at receiver Danny Amendola. He was having a good game until that series, when he finally lost patience with Amendola grabbing his facemask and neck.

Because of that incident, McCain expects the Patriots will try to bait him into another foolish incident Monday.

“I know better,” he said after today’s practice. “I know I want to be there for my team and I want to be there for my brothers. I don’t expect (to get into) any extracurricular activities. I’m just gonna go out and play my game, do my job and do my responsibilities. If extra stuff happens, I’m gonna let the referees handle it. I need to be in this one.

“They’re known for a little extra blocking after the play here or there, but at the end of the day, we have to keep our composure and just do our job.”

Funny he should bring that up.

New England tight end Rob Gronkowski won’t be playing Monday because of a one-game NFL suspension after an egregious cheap shot on Bills rookie cornerback Tre’Davious White. White was face down on the turf after the play when Gronkowski lunged to knock him in the head, sending him into the concussion protocol.

The fact that all of the Bills players let Rob Gronkowski slowly trot away after that brutal late hit that put White in concussion protocol is sad. They didn’t even try to stand up for him, simply pointed fingers. Couldn’t have been one of my teammates. pic.twitter.com/pTb7MSiaT3

McCain doesn’t have any personal beef with Gronkowski, but thought he got what he deserved.

“That’s a bad play,” he said. “It’s a bad look for him. I’m not gonna sit here and point fingers and say he’s a bad player or he’s a dirty player. He was frustrated with whatever happened, but that wasn’t a good decision. That was a bad decision. That was a bad look on him and a bad look on the team.

“I don’t like to see anybody’s money taken away, but at the end of the day, you have to be responsible for your actions. That’s what the league does. They suspended him for a game, and unfortunately it’s our game. That’s one less player we’ve gotta worry about. But yeah, you can’t do that. You can’t lose your cool and lose your composure. I know that and I’m sure he does.”